Beckerisms

State Senator Joe Uecker Resigns

This Changes Everything

As you know, I announced a few months ago that I am running for the open Senate seat being vacated by the term limited Joe Uecker. His term runs until the end of next year. The primary election will be in March 2020 and the general election will be November 2020. The Republicans in the Ohio Senate will now choose who will fill Uecker’s unexpired term and they will fully fund their candidate in the upcoming election cycles. That changes everything.

Doug Green and I had been the only two candidates competing in what had been an open and fair primary election process. Now that the office will be handed out as a freebee, opportunists, charlatans, and wannabes have crawled out of the woodwork to kiss up to the Columbus establishment. I keep hearing shouts of “Pick me! Pick me!” coming from all across Joe Uecker’s Senate District.

Beginning in early September, the Ohio Senate Republican Caucus will interview the six candidates who have asked for the appointment. As you’d expect, I’m one of the six. I’m biased of course, but if they base their decision on qualifications, the best candidate to hold the seat, and popularity with the voters, then it’s a no-brainer: I’m the obvious choice.

Just for the record here, I support Joe Uecker’s decision to do what is best for him and his family. I certainly wish him well and thanked him for his service to the Ohio General Assembly. As for the Ohio Senate Caucus, they have a job to do. They will take a deliberative approach to making their decision.

It is interesting to note that on August 26th, the Brown County Press asked all six candidates four questions with a deadline of August 29th at 9:00 AM. I am the only candidate who responded. Shockingly, neither candidate from Brown County bothered to respond. The Scioto County candidate didn’t respond, nor the other two from Clermont County. Am I the only candidate who is taking this process and the voters seriously? What are the others afraid of? Regardless, the questions and my answers are as follows:

If appointed, will you run for re-election in 2020? Yes, definitely.

If not appointed, do you plan to challenge the appointee in the Republican primary in March of 2020?Being as Clermont County is 59 percent of the 14th Senate District, I’m confident that I can win that race. In addition to being a full-time legislator, I am also a full-time campaigner. I’m everywhere. I’ve always worked hard to win every vote and I always will. Although, I could be outspent by the Columbus establishment, they won’t be able to out work me. I’m popular with my constituents because I put their interests ahead of what the lobbyists in Columbus want. Those are the reasons why I believe that I can prevail over a massive Columbus-centered campaign against me and my constituents. All of that being said, I would need to pray about my options, discuss it with my family, and consult with my friends and supporters. I will make my final decision after that process is completed.

Why are you the best person for the job?The media consistently ranks me as one of the most conservative members of the Ohio General Assembly. As a full-time legislator, my platform is Pro-Life, Pro-Gun, Limited Government, and Lower Taxes. I am a leader in each of these areas and A+ rated by the NRA and A+ rated by Buckeye Firearms. Additionally, I am the only candidate who is a Trump Republican. Furthermore, with 30 years of private sector business experience, I am not a career politician.

What are the primary challenges facing the 14th district and how do you plan to address them?Economic growth, transportation gridlock, and the opiate crisis are major issues facing the 14th Senate District.Economic growth and improving traffic flow go hand-in-hand. I support building the Eastern Bypass that is currently proposed to run from Northern Kentucky through Eastern Clermont County to the Lebanon area. I am also working with ODOT to get a plan approved for expanding I-275 in the Milford to Loveland area. Furthermore, I continue to support the work on SR 32 in Eastgate and future efforts to improve the Bauer Road area. Due to legislation in Columbus that I supported, we have made improvements in fighting the opiate crisis. I support a carrot and stick approach. Increase penalties for drug dealers and treatment options for users ready to get help.

Becker Donates Controversial Pay Raise to Community Organizations

January 2019 – The Cincinnati Nature Center received my personal check for $154.69.February 2019 – Ohio Concerns of Police Survivors (Ohio C.O.P.S.) got my on-line donation for $154.69.March 2019 – I delivered a personal check for $313.73 to the Goshen Township Bicentennial Committee. The increase in the amount of my donation is because of my promotion to be chairman of the Federalism Committee. It reflects the net portion of the controversial pay increase that was included in my chairmanship increment.April 2019 – My wife and I presented our $313.73 donation to Days of Wonder. Based in Batavia, they are a school for homeschool kids.May 2019 – The Promont House Museum in the City of Milford was the recipient of my personal donation of $313.73. Promont is a Victorian mansion circa 1865 and the former home of John M. Pattison, Ohio’s 43rd Governor. It is currently owned and operated as a museum by the Greater Milford Area Historical Society.June 2019 – The Adams County Humane Society and the Adams County Fair spilt my June donation and received $156.87 each. The animal shelter will use the funds for animal care supplies. The Fair will use the money to purchase new flags.July 2019 – People Working Cooperatively (PWC) was the recipient of my $313.73 for their project house in Owensville. The money will be used for an accessible bathroom renovation.August 2019 – The Scioto County Right to Life received my personal check for $313.73. They will use the money to fund billboards along US 23.

Becker Bills in the Ohio House of Representatives

HR 55 – Build the Wall. This resolution urging congress to fund a physical barrier across the southern border has been assigned to the Transportation Committee.HB 39 – Replica Vehicles. This is a bill I’m doing with John Patterson to create a special category for these unique vehicles. It is in the Transportation Committee.HB 153 – Working Officials Requirements Key (WORK) Act. This bill requires county elected officials to show up at their office at least five times every 30 days. It is in the State and Local Government Committee and has had its first hearing.HB 176 – Convention and Visitors’ Bureaus. This is a bill I’m doing with Tom Brinkman. It requires open records.HB 182 – Abortion Insurance Coverage. The bill stops insurance companies from paying for abortions. It does not apply to self-insured private companies nor does it prevent any company from directly contracting with an abortionist. It has been assigned to the Insurance Committee and has had its first hearing.HB 219 – Sunday Alcohol, Liquor, and Especially Spirits Act (SALES). I’m doing this bill with Representative Jim Hoops. In short, HB 219 removes the Sunday option. All businesses currently allowed to sell alcohol during the week will also be allowed Sunday sales. Voters retain the option to vote their precinct dry. It has been assigned to the Commerce & Labor Committee.

Becker for State Senate – Vetted, Tested, and Proven!

“Clermont County State Rep. John Becker, one of the most conservative members of the Ohio House…” according to Cleveland.com (August 2019).Becker wins “Sponsor of Liberty” award by the Republican Liberty Caucus of Ohio (October 2018).“Becker has a legitimate claim as the state’s most conservative legislator,” according to The [Cleveland] Plain Dealer (September 2017).“Rep. John Becker, suburban Cincinnati Republican… [holds] the unofficial title as the General Assembly’s most conservative lawmaker,” proclaimed the Columbus Dispatch (September 2015).Becker wins prestigious William Wilberforce Leadership Award (April 2015). “GOP Ohio House freshman Becker is no shrinking violet,” headlined the Columbus Dispatch (December 2014).“Becker…is arguably the most conservative member of the Ohio House,” said The Cincinnati Enquirer (January 2014). Ranked as a top tier “most archconservative” by the Columbus Dispatch (September 2013).

If the above Donate button does not work, use the button at www.BeckerGOP.com. You could donate for FREE! You may know that an Ohio Income Tax $50 per taxpayer dollar-for-dollar tax CREDIT (It is $100 on a joint return.) is available every year. The “Ohio political contributions credit” is on line 8 of your Ohio IT 1040 Schedule of Credits. Simply claim it on your state of Ohio tax return and get your money back. Contributions to candidates for State Senate (and other “state offices”) qualify for this credit. That is why it will cost you nothing. I’m Pro-Life, Pro-Gun, Pro-Limited Government and Lower Taxes. Please see the following brief videos:

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DisclaimerNothing in this newsletter constitutes legal advice. I am not an attorney and do not play one on TV. This newsletter is not sanctioned by the GOP, ORP, or any organization, or affiliation. I am fully and solely responsible for its content. Although I strive for accuracy, this is not “The Gospel according to John.” Additionally, I don’t necessarily try to be “fair and balanced.” After all, I didn’t get into politics to be a news reporter. My agenda is to influence public policy consistent with Southern Ohio conservative values. For more information on my motivations or how to get involved, see: What is a Central Committee?